"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights."
James 1:17
The father had been away from home for a week on a business trip. When he arrived home, there were three children ready to hug his neck. You could hear their shouts of joy throughout the house with these words, "Daddy's home! Daddy's home!" After everyone gave him a hug and kiss, the preschool child said, "Daddy, where's my gift?" Dad smiled and said, "You better believe I have a gift for you, all of you. Daddy has a gift for everyone of you because I love you." They got their gifts, and Dad got another hug and kiss from each one of them.
God our Father loves His children, and He loves to give perfect gifts to all of His children. He is mentioned as the Father of lights. He has placed the sun, moon and stars above to give light and to keep on giving light. That's one way God gives and keeps on giving. God's children need not beg nor bargain for His gifts. He really gives them because He loves us. Jesus taught us to pray, "Father . . . give us this day our daily bread." He cares about all of our needs. Of all His wonderful gifts, His greatest gift of all is love (1 Cor. 13:13). His love is seen at the cross of Jesus (Romans 5:8). His love is experienced through the Holy Spirit working in our hearts.
Do you know God as your heavenly Father? He loves you. He has provided all things for us to richly enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). He cares about every area of our lives. He provides for our needs. He has designed prayer as a way to present our needs to Him that we may receive. God does not give to us reluctantly nor with hesitation. Some things He gives us without asking. Other things are received through answered prayer. He may not give us everything that we want, but He does provide everything we need. Most of all, He gives Himself to us in love. He offers us a personal relationship that we receive by faith. The Father keeps on giving.
Father, we receive all things at Your gracious hand.
